Attacker Wanted to Humiliate Bulgaria's Dogan

Oktay Enimehmedov, the young Bulgarian Turk, who attacked the honorary, lifetime Chairman of DPSAhmed Dogan, did not attempt murder.

The statement was made Wednesday under oath in the courtroom by the former Director of the Institute for Psychology at the Interior Ministry, Nedelcho Stoychev, and his deputy, Rosen Yordanov.

The two have been the first ones to hear Enimehmedov's story of what he did and why he did it, literally minutes after he attacked Dogan with a gas pistol.

Yordanov and Stoychev also joined around the opinion that the defendant is an intelligent man, with understanding of politics and clear goals.

Yordanov explained that Enimehmedov wanted to humiliate Dogan by counting on the shot scaring him to the extent he would wet his pants in public.

It also turned out that the psychologists have been summoned to the courtroom on the request of the defense council and have never been interrogated during the pre-trial proceedings.

Yordanov further voiced surprise that the magistrates have not examined Enimehmedov's polygraph results as they have shown that he acted independently and alone.

He added he was not approving the extreme civil position of the young man, but was adamant he is not a murderer.

On January 19, 2013, police in Bulgaria's capital Sofia detained 25-year-old Enimehmedov after he pointed a gun at Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party founder Ahmed Dogan as he was delivering his resignation speech at a party conference. No shots were fired.

Immediately after the arrest, the young ethnic Turk stated that he did not actually want to kill Dogan, but to scare him. The gun was established to have been a gas pistol.

It was initially believed that he would only face grave hooliganism charges. However, experts told the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office that gas pistol shots can cause death if fired at a range closer than one centimeter from the temple, mouth or eyes.

Enimehmedov was therefore indicted on attempted murder charges. He was also charged with "indecent actions that are grossly violating the public order and showing clear lack of respect for society."

Dogan has been seen in public only once since the January 19 incident.

At the end of November, the former politician was removed as witness in the trial against Enimehmedov because of his ailing health.

According to local media, Dogan is suffering from severe depression as a result of the incident.